My Basil Hates Me

Basil and I usually have an ongoing love affair. I buy it fancy fertilizer and see to it that we have some quality happy hour time together. In return, it gives me big, shiny, green leaves that make me gaze lovingly at the fluffy Chiffonade on my cutting board. This year — bad news folks, the love affair is over, my basil hates me! It’s been playing hard-to-get all summer and no amount of purebred, exotic animal dung, nor Miracle Grow cocktails, seem to be able to bring it out of its funk. So my garden hose and I took a break, only showing up about every other night.  Basil barely noticed. 



Pineapple Sage & Clementines-so happy together!



Then I saw my sage. It was over in the corner, nursing the last of its watered down drink. It called my name, asked me my sign and may have even winked at me, so I said, "Whatcha doing later tonight?" “What you dewin?” it said. Good God! My sage is from Jersey?!? Talk about being put on the spot! This was not just your basic fuzzy, Thanksgiving variety that-you-put-in-the-stuffing-sage. Nope, for some crazy reason, this year I planted pineapple sage, so now I had to ask myself, what does one do with pineapple sage? 
     Not about to be intimidated by a little herb (unless that little herb is basil), I picked a handful of the stuff and then rummaged through the pantry and freezer until I came up with the idea of Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi-Mahi with Clementine Salsa and…wait for it….Pineapple Sage Orzo. Genius, I know! Cooking note here: Just between you and me, I would have preferred to do a pineapple salsa, but I had some Clementines that were nearing their 'use me or lose me' date, and I hate throwing out food that talks to me, so I had no choice but to comply.

     We were pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be a wonderful combination! My official life-long taste tester declared that "it didn’t suck", which is code at our table for, "pass the plate, I'll have a second helping, please". 

     And by the way, if basil and pineapple sage ever decide to get in the dirt together, my money says pineapple sage will kick basil's butt!

Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi-Mahi with Clementine Salsa & Pineapple Sage Orzo

I know pineapple sage isn't likely to be in your grocery store, so if I was to make this dish again (and if my sage was past its prime) I would substitute regular sage and cook the orzo with some pineapple juice added to the water; or add a little of the juice after you pull it off the heat. I think some crushed pineapple added to the orzo would also work. The nice surprise for me was that pineapple and sage make a lovely couple! (Note about the jalapeno oil in this recipe...getcha some! It's delish in a salsa or in mashed potatoes.) Go to the "Seafood" tab at the top of this page to view it. Let me know if like it! 

Dear Paisley,

I was in the room when you entered this world; raw, shocked, screaming bloody murder and completely unaware that those witnessing your arrival were already madly in love with you. Your first cries were matched by my own; sounds that escaped from somewhere south of my soul, about a half a second after I heard your first cry. Both of us, making sounds that were completely involuntary and foreign to our own ears. Mine came with an intensity that matched yours, only less shrill. 

    Your beautiful mothers’ weeping was barely audible in a room that was suddenly filled with chaos and joy. Three generations of us cried for a hundred different reasons. The pain of child birth was overshadowed by the fear of the unknown, and the fear of the unknown was overshadowed by the amazement of bringing life into the world, which was overshadowed by loving you so much that it hurt. And on it went; a merry-go-round of emotions that started and ended with love, but included the ups and downs of fear, elation, uncertainty, joy, trepidation and happiness.  

    My world, as I knew it, was knocked it off its axis with your arrival. From that moment on I knew that I would live my life with your well-being in mind. Now, when I lay awake at night I wonder if you are sleeping. When I close my eyes I see your face and I dream of your future and pray for your safety.  

   I anticipate your accomplishments, dread your heartaches and promise to keep your secrets. I look forward to the day when you say my name, the day when you run to me and wrap your little arms around my neck, and the day that you climb up the leg of a horse and ride into an arena all by yourself.

    I want to share sticky bites of candy with you and laugh at our own private jokes...and cry with you over booboos, broken toys and broken hearts. The thought of feeling my hand wrapped around yours as we hold onto a wooden spoon together and go around a bowl, makes this big, bad world feel like a safer place. The truth is, I am terrified of the world that you will grow up in because I know that it will be cruel and that it hurt you. 

  Just watching you sleeping in your mothers arms causes me to make promises to you that I will die trying to keep. 

   Paisley, of this one thing I am certain: I promise to cherish every moment that God gives me with you.

   Love always, 

   Your Grandma Tammi       

She May Be Wright, We May Be Crazy

Sierra has finally found Mr. Wright. No joke, after all these years she is finally Wright…Mrs. Wright to be exact, and she has the papers to prove it. If you know Sierra, you know that she would never have settled for anything less. 

Heidi Klum, Big & me  

On August 22nd at Della Terra Mountain Chateau in Estes Park, Sierra and Aaron stood before God and their family and friends and committed their lives to each other. The ceremony was short and sweet and the prayers for no rain were answered, even though the evening sky threatened otherwise. The setting was straight out of a storybook and I can honestly say that I have never seen Sierra look more beautiful, or as happy as she did on that day.

     The Big Guy was looking pretty darn good himself, in that tux, and he was just a wee bit emotional as he walked her down the aisle. Sierra was absolutely stunning in her gown and Aaron coulda/shoulda been arrested for looking so darn handsome. Had there been any cops on hand (ahem) I’m sure he would have been!

Sierra & her Uncle Saul

I’m thankful that our families and friends from all across the country were there to share in this celebration, and even our adopted German daughter, Heidi Klum (who went by the alias of “Julia”, while in the U.S.) came from across the pond to get down with us country folks! Speaking of, we had way too much fun at the reception, and P.S.…my crazy relatives know how to par-tay! The photo booth was a definite hit, and had we not all been related, I would have had blackmail worthy pictures of most of the guests, because there was a whole lotta kissin going on behind that curtain!

Sierra & Grandma Shirley

     Big and I were a little choked up to see our baby girl all grown up and looking so….married. Had we not shanghaied her (read: OUR) American Express card earlier, we would have been ever more choked up. In all honesty, we are very happy for Sierra and Aaron and Eliza; they are a  beautiful family and we wish them a lifetime of love and happiness! 

Click on this link to see a video of the wedding. To see all the pictures from the wedding and reception, click on this one. You may have to create a user name and password and/or enter the date (August 22, 2010) and their names.

Now, about that blackmail—if you're not a kissin cousin, you may receive a cryptic letter in a plain white envelope with no return address, call me…we’ll set up a meeting…bring bills... big ones...no cops...